Goshen College expanding coronavirus efforts; requiring weekly tests
Goshen College has ramped up efforts to keep the coronavirus in check. It now requires students and staff to be tested once a week.
At the beginning of the school year, tests were only provided to people showing symptoms. Improvements in testing technology has helped streamline that process.
The new testing program started on campus earlier this month. Students and staff are required to get tested for the virus once a week. Clinics open on campus Sunday, Monday and Thursday to accommodate student schedules.
It's a big change from what was possible at the beginning of the school year.
"We primarily followed a symptomatic approach last fall because tests were not as available as they are now. If somebody was having symptoms, we made sure that they got tested, not necessarily on campus," said Kevin Miller.
New available testing formats have changed that, with a quick turn around on results.
"This semester its a completely new approach with the availability of these inexpensive antigen test kits, so now we are testing all students and employees every week," said Miller.
On average, about 800 each week are being tested. Those taking part in the testing program said they felt it was a worthwhile endeavor, a way to get the entire campus involved and help keep everyone safe.
"It's important for everybody's safety-- not just your own-- and it's very important that you get the right results so that you can be safely around others," said sophomore Kristen Oliver.
"I think mass testing for COVID is really important on campus because it's just the best way to keep us safe and help control the spread of COVID as much as possible," said junior Olivia Ewry.
"Everybody chips in, you know, like we are all getting tested together because we all have the same goal of trying to go to class and have everything face-to-face," said freshman Connor Daniel.
Students are not required to sign up ahead of time. They will be notified within an hour of the test if the result is positive.
